McAuliffe Capitulates, Reverses Virginia Gun Action

Handguns are seen for sale in a display case at Metro Shooting Supplies in Bridgeton, Missouri, November 13, 2014. REUTERS/Jim Young

4879262

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe will announce Friday his administration will restore handgun reciprocity agreements with almost all 25 states his attorney general, Mark Herring, previously announced the state would stop recognizing, The Washington Post reported.

The surprising reversal came after Virginia Republicans struck a deal with McAuliffe.

In exchange for Herring withdrawing last month’s state reciprocity cancellations, Republicans agreed to legislation that states anyone with a permanent protective order for a domestic violence offense will be banned from carrying a firearm for the two-year life of the order.

“This is a bipartisan deal that will make Virginians safer,” McAuliffe spokesman Brian Coy said. “It also demonstrates that Democrats and Republicans can work together on key issues like keeping guns out of dangerous hands.”

The NRA praised the deal.

Are You Happy Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe Flip Flopped?

Yes No

Completing this poll entitles you to Daily Caller news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

“The National Rifle Association commends leaders in the Commonwealth for moving forward on a bipartisan package that will benefit Virginia citizens,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of NRA-ILA, the organization’s lobbying arm.

Gun control activists from the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, though, were not happy about the deal, saying on McAuliffe bragged about “his administration’s aggressive new approach to confronting the National Rifle Association.”

“Now he’s preparing to cave to them,” the message says. “As far as we are aware, there is not a single gun violence prevention advocate in Virginia who was informed about this deal before it was done. We all stand in opposition to it.”